Research

October 5, 2011

The Aquarium of the Pacific has been partnering with Cascadia Research Collective for approximately two years to identify individual whales off the coast of Long Beach and surrounding cities. This work has been analyzed by world-renowned blue whale expert and Cascadia Research Collective Co-Founder John Calambokidis. Calambokidis recently visited Long Beach to tag blue whales and take part in a blue whale excursion hosted by the Aquarium of the Pacific and Harbor Breeze Cruises. He spoke about initial results of this research and issues involving whales in the busy waters off the Southern California coast.

“Blue whale research on occurrence off Southern California regarding abundance and presence near shipping lanes has benefited by the recent collaborative effort between Cascadia Research and the Aquarium of the Pacific with the help of Harbor Breeze Cruises,” Calambokidis said. “This work has revealed a higher level of recent use of the waters off Los Angeles by blue whales than had been known previously.”

Blue whales are endangered and face additional threats in navigating the waters around the Los Angeles area, Calambokidis explains. The data the Aquarium is able to provide to his research collective helps pinpoint the numbers of whales in the area and identify where they go, all with the aim of addressing the ship strike issue.

Calambokidis will present a lecture at the Aquarium on November 17 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $5 for the public and free for Aquarium members and students and teachers with valid I.D. For details, click here.

The Aquarium of the Pacific and Harbor Breeze Cruises invite the public to set sail for the chance to see endangered blue whales and find out how to help these and other marine mammals through special narration by Aquarium of the Pacific biologists. The public can visit the Aquarium of the Pacific and embark on Harbor Breeze Cruises for a three-and-a-half-hour whale watch excursion with Aquarium experts daily at 11:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The Blue Whale & Sea Life Cruise combo ticket is available for purchase on-site at Aquarium of the Pacific and may be purchased in advance by calling 562-590-3100. Prices are $63.95 for adults and children over age twelve, $55.95 for seniors over age sixty-two, and $39.95 for children (includes Aquarium admission). For more information, including updates on whale sightings, and to purchase combo tickets, click here.